Book Better Endings Archives - Tina Hogan Grant

Updates in my world of writing

Hi everyone its time for some updates and fill you in on what’s going on in my world of writing. As you may have noticed I’m sending out a newsletter less frequently. Instead of being weekly, it will now be monthly. If I have a book released or a sale which I think you can’t resist I will notify you in a bonus newsletter.

Why the cutbacks in my newsletter?

The simplest answer is because it takes away valuable writing time from my books. Currently, I’m working on three different titles, all of which I hope to have released by November. In order to achieve that goal, I need to use what valuable time I have when I’m not working and use it wisely.

Works in progress

Here is a little insight on each title and what current stage it is in.

BETTER ENDINGS

This is the sequel to RECKLESS BEGINNINGS also know as BOOK TWO IN THE TAMMY MELLOWS SERIES. Let me tell you, I’m super excited about this book. The first draft is finished and I had so much fun writing it. I laughed out loud during some chapters and cried in others. The synopsis has been written, edited and finalized. I’ll be sharing it with you soon. As I’m writing this the cover is being designed and I can’t wait to see the first draft.

Beginning the first week of August I will be spending the month cleaning up the manuscript before it goes to the editor sometime in September. I tried to book her sooner but she was booked 3 months out. That’s how good she is. I have no problem waiting for my slot. She worked on RECKLESS BEGINNINGS and did a brilliant job. She knows my characters and my style of writing. Let me tell you, she’s well worth the wait. I’m hoping to have the book released sometime in November. If I can make it happen sooner, trust me I will

SLATER

This is a new series I’ve been working on. It’s a contemporary romance with some sizzle. SLATER is the first book in The SABELA series. I’m excited to announce this book is complete. Editing is done, the cover is finished. It looks amazing by the way and soon I will be doing a cover reveal.

EVE

This is the second book in the SABELA SERIES. In this book, you will discover that some of the characters you met in the first book have some surprising secrets. The first draft is finished and starting Monday I will spend the next few weeks cleaning it up before it goes off to the editor. The cover design will begin on July 14^th. The synopsis still has to be written and I’ll be working with my editor next week on that. For me, this is the hardest part of writing a book.

Other News

I recently started a Facebook group and would love for you to join. I host giveaways, mingle and chat with the readers. Soon I plan on doing monthly video chats where members can ask me anything. Click the banner to request to join.

I hope you are all enjoying your summer and don’t forget for a limited time RECKLESS BEGINNINGS is available for free in Kindle Unlimited or you can buy the ebook edition for just $1.99.

It’s time for some updates on my writing

My debut novel, Reckless Beginnings was released October 28th, 2018. My how time has flown. I can’t believe it has been over five months since that memorable day. Some of you have been with me since I launched this site and took you on the amazing journey leading up to publication day. And what a ride that was. Well, another journey has begun and I hope you stick with me for this one.

Book 2 – Better Endings

The day after Reckless Beginnings hit the shelves, I began writing the outline for book 2 in the series which is titled Better Endings. In a previous post, I had mentioned that I’ve changed my writing habits and I’m now disciplining myself to write at least one thousand words a day. Because of this new approach, I’m getting the work done. Most days I exceed my writing expectations and book two is now at two-hundred-thirty pages. When I look back and saw how much time Reckless Beginnings took to complete – editing alone took almost a year, I’m ecstatic about the future of my writing. I’ve managed to write two-thirds of the book in just over five months. For me, that is a huge accomplishment when I’m also working a full-time job and continuing to promote Reckless Beginnings.

A brief outline of the book

Better Endings which is based on true events and picks up where Reckless Beginnings ended, following the life of Tammy Mellows. In the book, the reader will reconnect with familiar characters like her father John, her step-mother Joanne, her sister Donna and her young son Matt. They will also meet Tammy’s new love interest Dwayne, a commercial fisherman from Southern California. But Tammy is struggling with newly discovered demons of her own that puts a strain on the relationship. She finds solace on the ocean and enters the world of commercial fishing. An industry dominated by men. Yet again Tammy finds herself faced with new challenges, high expectations and in order to be accepted by the fleet and for self-gratification she pushes herself to the limit.

When she ventures into the world of commercial fishing, she finds herself off the remote coast of San Clemente Island for weeks at a time. A place that is owned by the US Navy and where intense training takes place. No civilians are allowed on the island leading Tammy to adapt to living on a boat for days at a time. But what Tammy witnesses on the island while anchored off the shores fascinates her.

Here is an aerial shot of the island which is only fifty-six square miles.

Personal photos that inspired the book

Many of the scenes in these photos you will read about in the book.

I hope to have the first draft of the book completed by the end of May. Wish me luck. After a few rounds of reading it will be sent off to the beta readers before the editor begins her first round of editing. During which time, the cover design will begin.

Other works in progress

While working on Better Endings, I have also been working on a contemporary romance series titled The Sabela Series. There will be three books in the series. The first is called Slater and is complete. Last month it was sent out to the beta readers and I’m pleased to say they all loved it. Today it was sent to the editor and I hope to have it back in about two weeks. Currently, I’m researching someone to do the cover design and hope to get that started pretty soon. In the meantime, I have also begun book two in the series which is titled, Eve.

My goal is to have all three books completed, formatted and with covers before I release them within six weeks apart. I’ll keep you posted on the progress and more about the story outline when I have a rough blurb written.

So there you have it. I hope I’ve brought you all up to date and you will continue to follow me on my writing journey while I’m working hard to bring you these stories.

Other news

I’m pleased to announce that Reckless Beginnings reached the Top 100 in the kindle Sister Category in Amazon last month. A huge accomplishment that I’m proud of.
June 7th is the writer’s festival at our local library in Frazier Park and I’ve been invited to be on the writer’s panel where I will be talking about my current works and answering questions. I’ll post more info when I have it.